MEDIA RELEASE: Health Care Options For Respiratory Illnesses in Chatham-Kent
November 27, 2024 – As respiratory season is upon us, the Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team (CKOHT) and its healthcare partners are working together to ensure residents have access to a variety of care options. Choosing the right place for care helps avoid unnecessary Emergency Department (ED) visits, reduces wait times, and ensures timely care for all.
“During this busy respiratory season, we encourage everyone to understand their care options,” says Melissa Sharpe Harrigan, Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team Executive Lead. “By working together, we can provide the best care possible while easing the strain on emergency services.”
Care Options Available:
- Primary Care Providers: If you have a family doctor or nurse practitioner, contact their office first for non-urgent needs.
- Pharmacies: Pharmacists can provide advice and treatment for minor illnesses and renew prescriptions.
- Online Services: Access non-emergency urgent care at UrgentCareOntario.ca to have an appointment with a nurse practitioner through secure video chat. You can also go to HealthConnectOntario or call 8-1-1 for health care advice.
- Walk-In Clinics: For those who do not have access to primary care, visit locations like the Tilbury Walk-In Clinic (Monday-Friday) or BridgeCare (Saturdays & Sundays) for in-person care.
- MobileCare: Visit the MobileCare bus when it’s near your community for walk-in primary care or mental health and addiction services.
For life-threatening emergencies, always call 9-1-1 or visit the nearest emergency department.
This collective community effort to seek medical care ensures residents have multiple options for seasonal illnesses while preserving emergency department resources for emergencies.
For information on flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccinations, visit www.ckoht.ca/vaccines.
Contact:
Melissa Sharpe-Harrigan
Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team Executive Transformation Lead
melissa.sharpe-harrigan@ckoht.ca | 519-401-8313